Cana's hand-to-hand combat skills were different from those of Natsu and others, with more emphasis on grappling and throwing techniques. Who knows if her exaggerated strength came from lifting those heavy barrels every day.
During the fight, Rhodes noticed that Cana had raised her hand twice, seemingly intending to poke his eyes, and once lifted her leg to aim a kick at his crotch. Fortunately, she stopped herself each time.
Still, Rhodes was scared into a cold sweat. He realized he needed to figure out how to deal with such moves in the future—a guy has to take care of himself when out and about.
Rhodes took the opportunity to review the fight and silently raised Cana's danger level up a notch.
Cana shook her empty beer barrel, "Rhodes, a glass of beer!"
"Alright!" Rhodes picked up a beer barrel from the corner, but then paused, "Cana? Did you say a glass or a barrel just now?"
"A glass, just a glass! Why are you being so annoying?" Cana gave Macao, who was arguing with Wakaba about parenting experiences, a sideways glance.
With confusion all over his face, Rhodes poured Cana a glass of beer, then noticed that her drinking speed had noticeably slowed.
It seemed like she was holding back, only taking a small sip now and then to quench her craving.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Want to keep fighting?"
"I don't mind continuing," Rhodes said casually, "I just think there's something off about you."
"I think so too," Mira suddenly appeared, sensing some juicy gossip. "Could it be that Cana has a boyfriend?"
"How could that be?" Cana denied vehemently, raising her glass, "Beer is my boyfriend!"
"So, there's someone you like, but you don't have the courage to confess. Recently, the guy who's been around Cana the most... Let me guess..."
Mira was particularly enthusiastic about these things, and she quickly turned her sights on the people nearby, "It's Rhodes! Cana, you must be moved by Rhodes' unwavering determination, and today, you've been charmed by his manly spirit during the fight!"
Cana sighed in relief. Seeing Mira still randomly pairing people up like usual reassured her.
Last month, Mira said Wakaba had a thing for Laki... nonsense. That guy obviously likes every pretty and gentle girl equally.
The mature guild members all knew to ignore Mira's gossip at first and question it later.
Rhodes, not quite mature yet, immediately denied it: "Though I'm happy to be praised by you, Mira, my so-called manly spirit today has already been slammed to the ground by Cana's shoulder throw."
He glanced at Cana, who was sitting on the barstool with her legs crossed—she had almost kicked him away with those high-heeled sandals.
"If it's not Rhodes, then who could it be?" Mira pondered, "Did Loki make a move on you?"
"Would he even dare?" Cana sneered, "Besides, I'm not into that kind... Why are we talking about such a boring topic?!"
Cana picked up her beer and took a big stride away. After a brief pause, her steps became smaller, and she ended up sitting at the table with her drinking buddies, Macao and Wakaba.
Mira, pinching her chin, speculated, "Hmm... Could it be Macao?"
"Your guesses are getting more and more ridiculous, Miss Mira." Rhodes admired her imagination. "Isn't Macao almost twenty years older than her?"
"You never know." Mira chuckled, finally dropping the topic. "By the way, could you accompany me shopping this afternoon?"
"Sure," Rhodes agreed without hesitation, though he was a bit puzzled. "Isn't Mr. Cook in charge of shopping? He seems to enjoy picking out ingredients personally."
"Mr. Cook promised his grandson they'd go boating and fishing this afternoon, so he asked me to handle it." Mira explained, "He's already made a list. We just need to choose things carefully."
Mr. Cook, who was incredibly serious about cooking, could relax his standards when it came to his grandson. He seemed like a pretty good grandfather.
"No problem, I'll take care of carrying the bags," Rhodes said, understanding his role clearly. Picking out ingredients was definitely beyond his expertise.
...
"Miss Mira, are you heading out?"
"Yes, I need to buy some things."
"Miss Mira, good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon."
"Miss Mira, will you be in the next issue of Sorcerer's Weekly?"
"Sorry, I haven't taken any magazine work lately."
Once they left the guild and walked through the residential area, Rhodes immediately understood just how popular Mira was.
Almost everyone who recognized her greeted her with a smile. Some simply exchanged pleasantries, while others took the opportunity to ask a question or two.
"You're really popular."
"Everyone is just too enthusiastic," Mira sighed with a gentle smile. "Sometimes, it can be a bit overwhelming."
"Yes, yes, the famous Miss Mirajane Strauss. Next time you go out, why not wear sunglasses and a mask... to blend in?"
As they got more familiar, Rhodes also became more casual in his conversations with her.
"Good idea." Mira clapped her hands lightly. "If I want to blend in, I could try transforming into you—just the head."
"Spare me, please. I don't want to end up on the cover of Soshaara as 'Fairy Tail's Cross-Dressing Mage.'"
Rhodes admitted defeat. He also noticed that Mira no longer corrected his word choices as directly as before.
Mira smiled and, walking side by side with Rhodes, crossed the stone arch bridge to the opposite side of the river. She pointed ahead: "The shopping street is just past the next intersection. Have you been there before, Rhodes?"
Rhodes shook his head, "Not yet. Most of my activities have been on the other side of the river, and I usually buy things from the stores near the guild."
"Really? You've been here for almost a month, and you haven't explored the town?" Mira asked. "What do you do after work then?"
"Training, practicing magic, meditating, reading, flipping through magazines..." Rhodes listed his activities, realizing that everything he'd been doing lately was focused on survival and improving his situation.
The only remotely relaxing thing might have been playing music on the phonograph while doing laundry.
Even reading magazines was for understanding the world and gathering information.
"Doesn't it feel exhausting?" Mira asked.
"Not really. Learning magic is quite interesting in itself," Rhodes replied. "And cultivating diligently is the only way for me to feel more secure... to be able to pay off that huge debt."
"Ah, yes, debt issues can indeed be a headache." Mira nodded. "But you don't need to stress too much. The guild master rarely lacks money."
"That's precisely why I want to repay it quickly. The guild master has taken such good care of me." Rhodes sighed. Many times, the pressure came from his own conscience.
This could probably be called internal friction.
Mira remained silent, smiling. The guild master viewed Rhodes and all the other members like his own children.
But Rhodes either hadn't realized this or hadn't gotten used to the idea yet.
"Out of my way! Don't block the road!"
Just as they stepped into the shopping street, someone rushed toward them, shouting.
"Move aside! Stay out of my business!"
The man was holding a woman's handbag in one hand and a short knife in the other, threatening people to make way.
Someone behind him was shouting, "Stop him! He's a purse-snatcher!"
Seeing the man getting closer, Mira furrowed her brows slightly, raised an arm, and shielded Rhodes behind her.
Rhodes: ???
Sis, didn't you say you're not good at fighting? So why are you protecting me now?